THE CHINESE QUESTION

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2145, 30 July 1907, Page 2

THE CHINESE QUESTION

(To the Editor.) Sir,—l was under the impression that. I had silenced Hr. Collins’ fort, and almost expected a withdrawal, or some kind of an apology, in today’s issue of the Times. On the contrary, the smouldering fort is again in action. . Therefore, Sir, I trust you will again bear with me in reply. . Sir, after graphically describing the technicalities of the ‘.‘Act of Constitution,” my opponent goes on to say: “I think it is a very great pity Constitutional law is not more thoroughly understood, as it would obviato unnecessary agitating crusades amongst the laity, as well as expressionless voicing of opinion.” Now, Sir, wliat other interpretation I am I to put on this but trying to educate the stupid people of this colony? If ho knew they knew all about it, lie would not have made the above remarks. liis whole tone and general defence of the. Government is too transparent to need any reply. Ho asserts that I have not proved that Chinese immigration is a cause of degeneracy, and that phases of the Constitution Act are not iniquitous. Suppose, for the sake of argument, that a near female relative of mine, or of his, were induced to marry a Chinaman, would not ho regard the offspring of such a marriage a degeneracy of our race? If he refuses to admit this fact, then it is "useless following him any further in this controversy. Then if he admits it, which he must, it proves up to the hilt my assertion that the law which allows, or brings about, such marria"e, is detrimental to the well-being ot the community, therefore, any sans man or woman will class it as ‘‘iniquitous.” Sir,- it is not the higher class, well-to-do women, who fall a yiotim to the crafty Chinaman, but the middle and lower class, who are driven from pp.-t to pillar by the huge monopoly of the different industries by these detestable Chinese. These are the people whose cause 1 am fighting. My opponent has really nothing in common with the Chinaman. He is not called upon to compete with him i n any field of industry. Should lie want his garden dug he can get the Chinaman to do it cheap. Should lie desire cheap vegetables and fruit for his dinner-table he can get them from the Chinaman. In fairness to my opponent, I desire to say I do not believe he would give preference to the Chinaman as far as his necessaries of life were concerned, lmt lie is unconsciously supporting the upper class while on this question. . Sir, divest my opponent of his noble profession, and let him enter into competition with the Chinese, say, in Wellington, at either marketgardening, the fruit trade, the greengrocery trade, or even let hint have a go at the laundry business there, and I .venture to say that before twelve months he will believe in the absurdity of the Act of Constitution. Then would his. brilliant pen be heard demanding an amendment of the aforesaid iniquitous Act. The press of tins colony would ring with his able productions, qnrt would re-echo through the heart, and along the shores of the Commonwealth, in clear, distinct accents,- that nothing hut prohibitive legislation will settle the question.'- Then, -indeed, will the people of this colony be happy and contented.—l am, etc,, * P. DALLEY Julv 29th